Hands-on Sailing in Denmark
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Join traditional schooner Aron for a hands-on sailing experience through the South Funen archipelago in Denmark.
Join traditional wooden boat Aron and her Danish skippers at the Svendborg harbour, the port Aron has called home since she was built in 1906!
Explore the South Funen archipelago as you enjoy longer hours on the water and some night sailing under spectacular starry skies. This voyage is perfect for adventurers who want to learn how to sail a traditional boat with a friendly and professional crew. Enjoy hands-on sailing as you explore remote Danish islands and reach the German town of Flensburg.
- Traditional wooden boat
- Hands-on sailing
- Island hopping
- Private cabins
- Sustainable travel
- Local produce
- Full Board
- Night Sailing
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
YOUR SAILING AREA
South Funen, Denmark
Denmark is home to over 444 islands, with 368 uninhabited, and they are undoubtedly best discovered by boat. Even on land, you’re never more than 32 miles from the coast, so it’s easy to see why sailing and the sea are deeply rooted in Danish culture.
Traditional Schooner Aron is not only a beautiful example of a historic Danish working boat, but with both her skippers (Gorm and Helene) hailing from the islands, they certainly know all the best spots to take guests.
You’ll start south of the island of Funen in a town called Svendborg. This sailing area is known for its sheltered calm seas and moderate winds, making it a great introduction to traditional sailing. For those wanting to learn the ropes in a supported environment, Aron is undoubtedly a great option set in some beautiful scenery.
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The South Funen Archipelago
Each island has its unique personality and landscape scenery, but all have that mythical Danish charm and romance. Their cultural history and traditional fishing industries remain common across the islands, and they all have a welcoming and relaxed nature. Most islands also have the option to hire bicycles to explore and have numerous bathing spots!
The wind always dictates the voyage and the weather, but below is an idea of where you could sail with Aron. This voyage will see some longer hours under sail as Aron aims to reach the German port of Flensburg.
The island of Tåsinge is where skipper Gorm’s and Helene’s hometown of Troense sits. Manicured cottages line the waterfront with a lovely blend of sensitively restored 17th-century architecture and ancient apple trees. Electric cars glide around, and some sparsely populated locals all pass with beaming smiles. There’s a real sense of an enriching life here, a community spirit with a strong sustainability approach to everything.
The neighbouring island of Skaro is the island that time forgot – a small offshore farm community with pretty thatched cottages. The island has a declining population of about 30 people and probably a similar ratio of chicken and sheep. Most importantly, it’s famous for its ice cream, made using natural sugars from birch trees and seaweed. They have a small cafe in the centre of the island, and you can watch the ice cream being made!
The island of Ærø can only be accessed by boat, so it’s little surprise that the town of Marstal, where Aron originally came from back in 1906, sits to the east of the island. The town is a little more bustling with a few artisan shops, cafes and a great maritime museum.
Ærø is also home to Ærøskøbing – nick-named “fairy-tale town“, and one of the best preserved 18th-century towns in Denmark. Unchanged for hundreds of years, it truly is a magical experience arriving here by boat to explore ashore and soak in some mythical Danish history.
Flensburg is a picturesque German port located near the Danish border. This historic city is known for its maritime history and charming old town with cobblestone streets.
A few members of the VentureSail Team sailed with Aron; click here to read more about their week sailing and exploring the islands, as well as travel tips. We really recommend combining this taster voyage with a few nights in Copenhagen!
Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Night-watches?
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will not be more than 12 miles offshore.
Life on board
Our sailing holidays on traditional tall ship Aron of Svendborg are perfect for those looking for a unique, sustainable holiday experience. Get to grips with life on a traditional vessel as you explore the islands of Denmark under sail.
Getting involved
Aron is owned and skippered by Danish couple, Gorm and Helene. Hailing from the Danish port of Svendborg, they have been sailing in and around Denmark all of their lives. The opportunity to share their sailing grounds with guests, showing them where they grew up and introducing them to the history and sailing heritage of the area – is something they are both extremely proud of.
They love nothing more than to welcome guests on board Aron, sharing a piece of maritime history of which they are fiercely protective of. (If you get the chance to stop at Marstal – be sure to get Gorm to give you an outside tour of the old shipyard before you take a museum tour!)
Gorm usually is at the helm, plotting the route with Helene and watching the weather. Helene is on hand on deck to guide guests, showing them the ropes in a truly relaxed manner. She used to teach sail training on larger tall ships – her manner is considered, and her explanations of wind direction and sail hoisting are clear and easy to learn. ys something to suit!
Get to grips by hoisting the sails, taking the helm, and doing some basic navigation. There will also be opportunities on this voyage to sail through the night, a unique experience under spectacularly starry skies. Everything on Aron is done as part of a team, from work on deck to preparing dinner and washing up. Everyone takes a turn – there’s something quite holistic about peeling apples on deck, just picked from a local island, sharing cultural stories of culinary delights from around the world (or maybe just your granny’s apple pie recipe!)
Sustainable sailing
Enjoy the silence of the sea, the wind in the sails and the gentle creak of this beautiful old wooden ship.
Sailing with Aron is not necessarily about the destination (although the islands of Denmark are truly beautiful and perfect to be explored by boat!) but the journey itself is the real purpose. Using mainly the power of the steady Baltic winds, sailing with Aron is a sustainable holiday choice in a time when there are increasing climate challenges around us. The impact on the environment is deciding the experiences we choose, and with Aron, ecology, sustainability and local experiences are at the heart of everything on offer.
Denmark has a real community spirit from town to town and island to island. Everyone helps each other out with a lot of the village stores run on a community-funded, volunteer basis. Helene and Gorm are very much a part of this and are building relationships with local artisanal producers across the islands. Helene hopes to use the last section of the cargo hold on Aron to share produce across the islands. This isn’t for financial gain, just to share community spirit.
Sleeping and Eating
With the fresh sea air comes a healthy appetite, and after a day of traditional sailing, enjoy delicious home-cooked meals aboard. Using local produce or perhaps even throwing a line for our very own catch-of-the-day, Helene is well-versed in cooking up a feast from the galley. The menu ranges from traditional Danish dishes to international flavours. Helene has spent many years travelling the world with tall ships, so her menu is very much inspired.
There is plenty of space both above and below decks to lay up a feast, with the saloon and dining area providing a cosy space for colder evenings. Aron can accommodate up to ten guests in a combination of four twin cabins and one 3-berth cabin. Cabin allocation happens once everyone has booked and has boarded. Some cabins are more suited to taller guests, whilst some are better suited for couples so Helene will allocate upon arrival.
Each cabin has its own sink, hand towel, wash towel, full bedding and USB charging points, and all cabins share a toilet. If needed, there is a shower aboard Aron, but the shoreside marina facilities are so good that it’s almost a shame not to use them. Aside from the showers, you’ll often find communal BBQs with sheltered seating and sometimes even a sauna!
Sailing in Denmark is a great place to embrace the “hygge” the country is known for, switching off from the demands of the modern world and simply relaxing.
Aron of Svendborg
Guest berths: 10 Rig: Schooner
Aron is owned and skippered by Danish sailing couple Gorm and Helene, whose love of traditional sailing is evident to see. They believe that any sailing voyage is “an adventure at your own pace”. Travelling on a sailing ship like Aron is a sustainable choice at a time when climate challenges are increasingly shaping the experiences we choose. On board Aron, they prioritise ecology, sustainability and local produce wherever possible.
From long weekends to week-long and even some traditional sail racing voyages, there is something for everyone. Her main sailing area in the South Funen archipelago in Denmark offers balmy winds and gentle waves, making her a great introductory boat for those wanting to experience something new. If you’re a little more adventurous, she explores the Swedish archipelago during the summer and takes part in some traditional sail races too. There is no age limit, either young or old, and there is no need for any sailing experience, just a good sense of humour and a lust for adventure is a must!
Built in 1906, Aron of Svendborg is a fine example of a traditional Marstal sailing ship, with the soft lines and powerful ‘spring curve’ for which these schooners were renowned. Built with solid oak, her flat transom and good sailing characteristics are typical of shipbuilder Lars Jensen Bager of Bager’s shipyard in Marstal.
Both above and below decks, Aron of Svendborg is a beautiful base for exploring the islands and coastline of Denmark and Sweden. She offers private bunk cabins, a spacious saloon area and plenty of space above decks to relax under sail and watch the world go by.
Deck plan
More about Aron of Svendborg
Denmark
Sail the Baltic Sea onboard a Tall Ship
Tall Ship Sailing & Island Hopping in Denmark
Tall Ship Sailing the Hanseatic cities & Baltic Coast, Germany
Sail the Baltic Sea onboard a Tall Ship
More holidays on Aron of Svendborg
Tall Ship Sailing & Island Hopping in Denmark
Short Break Tall Ship Sailing Holiday in Denmark
Sailing in Sweden: Tall Ship Voyage from Gothenburg
Tall Ship Sailing from Sweden to Denmark: Gothenburg to Assens
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
